PARKER EXPECTING 'TOUGH CHALLENGE' AT OXFORD

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets boss looks ahead to Saturday's visit to the Kassam

2024-09-26T15:18:15.170Z

PARKER EXPECTING 'TOUGH CHALLENGE' AT OXFORD

Clarets boss looks ahead to Saturday's visit to the Kassam

2024-09-26T15:18:15.170Z

Clarets boss looks ahead to Saturday's visit to the Kassam

Head Coach Scott Parker described Saturday's upcoming trip to Oxford United as a 'tough challenge' for his side, but says that his team are in a 'really good place' ahead of the Sky Bet Championship clash.

The Clarets take on the U's at the Kassam Stadium this weekend, where Des Buckingham's side have won their opening three league fixtures and Parker is well aware of the test his squad will face in Oxfordshire.

Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the visit to Oxford, Parker gave his thoughts: "Look, it's a tough game ahead for us, it will be a tough challenge down there.

"They have had three home games and won all three, so we're under no illusions of the challenge we face going there this weekend.

"They've got some real quality players with real threat going forward and we have to be aware of that especially with them being at home, whilst also trying to look where we can hurt them and get a positive result."

PARKER EXPECTING 'TOUGH CHALLENGE' AT OXFORD - Image 1

Parker's side will be aiming to be the first to take points from the Kassam Stadium in the 2024/25 campaign and the Clarets boss insists the mood is great around the training ground after another successful week of training.

"Confidence and morale is quite high, we have had a couple of good results recently, but that doesn't affect or change anything going into this weekend.

"We now have to back the recent wins up. It's been a really good week of training for us, we've put some really good work into the lads and we have made use of having no midweek game. We have also been mindful of next week and the quick turnaround.

"The main aim for me now is putting out the best possible team on Saturday to help get us three points."

MATCH PREVIEW: BURNLEY V PLYMOUTH ARGYLE - Image 6

When asked if he was pleased with his side's start to the campaign, Parker explained: "I'm really comfortable and satisfied with where we are right now.

"It's a brand-new team we are developing and we have had a reasonably tough start in terms of fixtures, lots of players in and out and we have managed to get points on the board, so it's pleasing."

Parker also gave a positive update on Connor Roberts' and Mike Tresor's return: "He's (Roberts) trained with us and had a really good week.

"We will make a decision nearer to the game on whether he is involved or not."

"Mike has also fully trained this week, which is very good for us. He's been out for a considerable amount of time. It's just about getting him to that level of fitness, we don't want to rush it and we just need to take it step-by-step."